Big Trucking Companies Want the Crackdown to Stay. Small Carriers Could Pay the Price.

Think a change in Washington will bring easier trucking regulations? Think again. Some of the biggest names in trucking may actually prefer things just the way they are.

For small trucking companies, independent operators, and freight brokers hoping for a little breathing room, there's some news worth paying attention to.

According to FreightWaves, trucking industry executive Craig Fuller believes the push for tougher federal enforcement is becoming a permanent feature of the industry. And here's the interesting part: some of the largest trucking companies aren't fighting it. They're supporting it.

That could change the playing field for everyone, especially smaller carriers that have spent years competing against lower-cost transportation providers.

Why Would Big Trucking Companies Want Tougher Rules?

At Optym's Convergence 2026 conference in Frisco, Texas, Fuller argued that major motor carriers have come to see stricter driver hiring standards as necessary for their survival.

His message was straightforward: don't expect enforcement to disappear simply because political leadership changes.

Why? Follow the money.

Large carriers have invested heavily in driver training, equipment, safety programs, and compliance. Meanwhile, smaller operators have often competed by offering lower rates.

When transportation costs are tight, a company willing to operate for less can put tremendous pressure on everyone else.

Fuller's argument is that tougher standards could reduce some of that low-cost competition while rewarding companies that invest in compliance and safety.

Whether you agree with that argument or not, it's an important development for anyone making a living in trucking.

The Small Carrier Survival Story

Remember the Great Freight Recession that began in 2022?

Many people expected a massive wave of trucking companies to disappear. Yet thousands of smaller operators managed to hang on longer than some industry observers anticipated.

Fuller believes part of the explanation involved access to lower-cost drivers and operators working outside established rules.

He also pointed to the growing influence of freight brokers.

According to his estimates, brokers handled roughly 6% of freight in the early 2000s. Today, he believes that figure has grown to more than 30%.

That shift matters because small carriers increasingly depend on brokers to find loads.

When freight rates fall, those carriers can find themselves competing for loads that barely cover their operating expenses.

And that's where things get uncomfortable.

A truck payment doesn't care whether the freight market is having a bad month. Insurance companies aren't offering discounts because your load board looks depressing. Tires, fuel, repairs, and maintenance still need to be paid for.

In trucking, running out of profitable miles can become a business-ending problem.

Non-Domiciled CDLs Are Part of the Debate

Another major issue is the federal government's enforcement involving non-domiciled commercial driver's licenses.

These licenses are issued to eligible drivers who are not domiciled in the state issuing the license. Changes to federal eligibility and documentation requirements have become a significant point of debate across the trucking industry.

Fuller has argued that drivers holding non-domiciled CDLs and operators working outside the rules contributed to the prolonged freight downturn by helping maintain unusually low transportation costs.

However, that is his assessment, not an established finding that explains the entire freight recession.

The regulatory changes have also generated legal challenges and concerns about how many drivers could be affected.

For carriers, the practical question is how enforcement will affect driver availability, recruiting, operating costs, and the ability to keep trucks moving.

Freight Brokers Have a New Legal Headache

And it's not just trucking

Freight brokers are also facing a changing legal environment.

Fuller pointed to the U.S. Supreme Court's May 14 decision in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II. The unanimous ruling addressed whether certain state negligent-hiring claims against freight brokers fall within the safety exception to federal transportation law.

That matters because brokers could face greater exposure when the carriers they select are involved in serious accidents.

Then came another major development.

A Dallas County jury returned a $604 million verdict against C.H. Robinson in a case involving a fatal 2021 crash in Mississippi. The verdict included a finding that the broker was partly responsible.

The case has become a major talking point in the industry because of the potential implications for how brokers select carriers and manage transportation risks.

For brokers, simply finding a truck at an attractive rate may no longer be enough. Carrier selection, safety reviews, documentation, and hiring practices deserve serious attention.

Could Large Trucking Companies Gain an Advantage?

Fuller believes the changing regulatory and legal environment could benefit larger asset-based carriers.

These companies own or control their trucks, employ drivers, and generally have established safety and compliance systems.

Shippers concerned about liability may increasingly prefer working with carriers that can demonstrate consistent standards and accountability.

That could create opportunities for larger fleets to win freight business that previously went to smaller operators or brokered capacity.

But don't count the independent trucker out just yet.

Smaller companies can still compete through dependable service, careful cost management, strong customer relationships, and excellent safety practices.

The challenge is making sure the business is financially strong enough to survive a changing market.

What Should Truck Drivers and Owner-Operators Do?

Regardless of where you stand on tougher enforcement, there are practical steps worth considering.

• Stay informed: Keep up with FMCSA regulations and changes that affect your license or operating authority.


• Protect your business: Keep maintenance records, inspection reports, insurance documents, and compliance paperwork organized.


• Know your numbers: Understand your actual cost per mile before accepting a load.


• Choose partners carefully: Work with reputable brokers, carriers, and shippers.


• Take safety seriously: A strong safety record is valuable regardless of company size.

The Bottom Line: Trucking Is Changing, and the Rules of the Game May Be Changing With It

The trucking industry is entering an important period of change.

Major carriers are increasingly supporting tougher standards. Freight brokers are facing greater legal scrutiny. Small operators are dealing with competitive pressure, regulatory changes, and uncertain freight conditions.

And here's something worth remembering: bigger doesn't automatically mean better, and smaller doesn't automatically mean unsafe.

The real question is whether trucking regulations will create a safer, more sustainable industry while allowing responsible independent operators to compete.

Because if the only companies that can survive are the ones with the biggest bank accounts, the industry could lose some of the independent spirit that helped build it.

One thing is certain: the trucking business is changing, and ignoring those changes isn't a winning strategy.

Want to Explore More Opportunities in Trucking?

Whether you're already behind the wheel or looking at ways to build additional income, staying informed can help you make smarter decisions.

Visit TruckersSideHustle.com to explore ideas and opportunities beyond traditional trucking income.

Stay informed. Protect your business. Keep moving forward.

Source: Thomas Wasson, FreightWaves, "Big carriers keep FMCSA's crackdown alive, Fuller says," published November 7, 2026. The article's predictions and industry assessments are attributed to Craig Fuller and should not be interpreted as official FMCSA policy or established industry-wide findings.